20 questions with chocolatier Amelia Rope
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Drive and determination.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Keep it simple, remain focused and go for it.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
The lack of support to help growing small businesses.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Having more time for family and friends.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I have no wealth to swap.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
What a thought provoking comment. It is dire but somehow it will rebalance and hopefully in a much healthier way.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
A printable one: “Toilet”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I agree. Family and friends are so important. I support various charities that are close to my heart for personal reasons.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Remember your reluctant audience when talking loudly on your mobile on public transport or in a coffee shop.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Pat Reeves, co-founder of Sofa.com, Pat’s dog Louie (the most adorable ex Battersea Dogs & Cats Homes staffie), Evgeny Lebedev, my goddaughters (Alicia, Anna, Josephine), my good, loyal and ever patient friends, my parents, my brother, the team helping me raise investment, Auguste Rodin, Barbara Hepworth, William Boyd, Tom Kime (for his incredible cooking) and a whole load of other passengers too.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Oysters and chunky chips fried in goose fat with huge dollops of mayonnaise and tomato ketchup. I’d also have gallons of Louis Roederer champagne and enjoy it sitting on a beach watching the movement of the sea with my lover.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Well that would depend on: “What type of drink?” For me, coffee as soon as I get out of bed, fizzy pop for a special celebration anytime, other booze usually in the evening for me as I would fall asleep drinking at lunchtime.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini. I’ve never drunk a cup of tea in my life.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Those organised by friends. You can be as wild as you want to be.
Who is the most positive person you know?
One of my business advisors.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Buying a book, buying lingerie, eating oysters and drinking incredible wines.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A wild bird.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
Jaguar E-Type or a 1950s Mercedes-Benz W 198.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I applied to go on Blind Date.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A herd of elephants. They are old Indian opium weights and all linked together by a hook which their trunks go into.
Amelia Rope is a chocolatier. Her range is sold in high-end outlets including Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, Wholefoods, Dean & DeLuca and Liberty.
View Amelia Rope’s official website here. Follow her on Twitter here.
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